Date:26/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/26/stories/2008022654640500.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Railway budget likely to disappoint Kerala

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Lack of political clout spoiling State’s chances

Land acquisition a major obstacle for MEMU
State pins its hope on Railway Minister’s remark

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala’s long-cherished dream of having an exclusive zone for developing the railway network passing through the State is unlikely to materialise for want of political clout.

An exclusive railway zone would go a long way in solving the problems faced by the State and end the alleged neglect meted out by the railways. “Kerala does not have the political clout and an announcement by Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad is unlikely in the budget to be presented in Parliament on Tuesday,” railway officials say.

The reduction in route km in Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram Divisions to 1212 with the creation of Salem Division has also dashed the hopes of a zone. The State had been arguing that the railways should consider the demand as the zones are created on the basis of workload, accessibility, geographical sprawls, and administrative or operational considerations and not on regional considerations.

The much-touted Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) will also be in paper as the railways have pointed out that two dedicated lines are needed for running suburban services. Land acquisition being a major hurdle for railways in the State, more allocation for introducing the MEMU to ease congestion on the roads is unlikely.

The introduction of new long-distance trains to metros is also unlikely and enough hints on this were given by Southern Railway General Manager Rakesh Chopra during his recent visit.

It has been pointed out that the Thiruvananthapuram Central Station is choked and that the Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam section is saturated by 120 per cent, Ernakulam-Kayamkulam via Alappuzha by 140 per cent, via Kottayam by 160 per cent and Ernakulam-Thrissur by 118 per cent, already. Unless a third railway line is laid, railways will not be able to introduce new long distance trains.

The State, railway officials and commuters are putting hope on the statement by Mr. Prasad during his recent visit to CUSAT that he would come up with “some good news” for Kerala. The vehement attack from all quarters on Minister of State for Railways R. Velu for bifurcating Palakkad Division and creating the Salem Division will also turn positive for Kerala. Mr. Velu had already instructed Southern Railway to strike a balance while allocating trains to Kerala, a top railway official said.